THE Upper Hunter may have a blossoming Ellyse Perry, the Australian Test star, in its midst. For the second consecutive year, Denman Public School (DPS) student Eden Andrews will take the field for the Hunter Region at the upcoming NSW PSSA Girls Cricket Championships in Campbelltown after a couple of impressive performances. Increased exposure and continued investment into women's cricket is helping to inspire females across the country to pick up a bat and ball. That was evident in the amount of participants - three times more than 2018 - at this week's trial in Newcastle on Monday. Andrews was one of the younger competitors picked among a huge talent pool to represent the Hunter Region - and she still has another year to participate at that level. "It's fantastic to hear that Eden has been selected," Cricket NSW manager - Hunter Gary Fisher said. "She displayed excellent batting skills playing straight and her bowling was accurate and reliable throughout the day. "This is a great reward for Eden, who is not only a fantastic athlete, but a humble young lady who displays exemplary sportsmanship at all times." After relocating from Western Sydney to the Denman area in 2017, the Andrews family has developed a strong connection within the local cricket community. The talented right-arm medium/fast bowler finished with the stats of 1-26 off five overs, from four games, at last year's carnival in Maitland - and hopes to improve even more this time around. Her success follows her place in the NSW Girls Country Academy Cricket Squad. As part of this program, players attended a weekend training camp in Tamworth during the previous school holidays in preparation for the next level of selections later in the year. Now, the DPS community looks forward to following the Hunter Region side's journey at the NSW PSSA tournament in Sydney. Principal Megan Druitt acknowledged Andrews' family, who have supported her participation in these fantastic opportunities. "It is a huge commitment that involves a lot of travelling," she said. "And, we are proud of Eden's success and passion for doing what she loves."

Denman Public School student Eden Andrews named in Hunter Region side for upcoming NSW PSSA Girls Cricket Championships

THE Upper Hunter may have a blossoming Ellyse Perry, the Australian Test star, in its midst.

For the second consecutive year, Denman Public School (DPS) student Eden Andrews will take the field for the Hunter Region at the upcoming NSW PSSA Girls Cricket Championships in Campbelltown after a couple of impressive performances.

Increased exposure and continued investment into women's cricket is helping to inspire females across the country to pick up a bat and ball.

That was evident in the amount of participants - three times more than 2018 - at this week's trial in Newcastle on Monday.

Andrews was one of the younger competitors picked among a huge talent pool to represent the Hunter Region - and she still has another year to participate at that level.